Thirsty Times 018 Summer 2016
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TWO BRANCHES ARE WELCOME Editor’s introduction By Claire Irons, Publicity Officer for Chelmsford distribution of Thirsty Times to pubs in the branch & Mid-Essex CAMRA areas, out on trips and to festivals. Thirsty Times is spilling over to spread the word Contact details for campaigning by providing articles of interest MAD: Chris Harvey 07743 675 622 / to those who enjoy pubs, people and especially [email protected] real ale and cider. Most people join CAMRA for NWE: Chris Rouse 07824 726108 / the camaraderie; free entry to beer festivals; [email protected] Wetherspoons vouchers and to drink beer and or cider with like-minded people. So join in the fun See the inside the back page for Chelmsford and and make new friends! Mid-Essex (CME) branch contacts and advertising contact details. Our neighbouring branches want a piece of the action and so we welcome on board our friends Thank you on behalf of the CME branch to Podge from Maldon & Dengie (MAD) and North West as editor and Bryan Grimshaw for proof reading Essex (NWE) branches of CAMRA. We shall Thirsty Times issues 1 to 17. have their Pub News, Social & Campaigning Diary and articles as well as extending the Brewery I have enjoyed being editor for this issue (TT18) News section. Therefore we have increased from and am happy to have Tony Vernon take on the 5,000 to 6,000 copies of Thirsty Times quarterly. role as editor for future issues, and I will continue Of course, volunteers are required to help with to proof read the magazine. North West Essex CAMRA Branch By Chris Rouse The North West Essex branch of CAMRA covers the area of Essex north of the A120 and west of the old A131, including Saffron Walden, Stansted Mountfitchet, Great Dunmow, Great Yeldham, and the north west of Braintree, with Thaxted in the centre. We’re a small branch in terms of members, but large in terms of area – which is not the ideal situation. However, we do what we can, and hope you can play your part, even in a very small way. Photo: Chris Rouse As more and more pubs close, it’s important that Club of the Year is The Wethersfield Village Hall we all do something to at least halt the decline, Club, Old Mill Chase, Wethersfield, CM7 4EB. or better still, reverse it. The best way is to visit There will be a presentation on Monday 4 July. pubs, not just your local, but ones further afield, especially ones you’ve not been to before. The Wethersfield Club is a friendly social club popular with locals and visiting teams. CAMRA North West Essex Pub of the Year members are welcome as guests. It is home and Club of the Year to local darts, pool, snooker, crib, and chess The North West Essex Branch Pub of the Year clubs. The club stages a number of social events 2016 is The Fox & Hounds, 3 Chapel Street, including live music throughout the year. A real Steeple Bumpstead CB9 7DQ. A presentation centre of village life, children of all ages are took place (pictured) on Tuesday 19 April. Our welcome with responsible adults. 2 Thirsty Times ADDITIONS TO THIRSTY TIMES Maldon & Dengie CAMRA: ‘Spoilt for Choice’? By Chris Harvey & Sons’ pubs in our area, as a large number of the Chelmsford-based company’s hostelries serve When I first got involved with the Maldon & Dengie a good range of ales from local breweries and Branch of CAMRA, shortly after I moved back to further afield. Essex after 25 years’ absence, I was a little taken aback by the rather bold statement on the branch Here are some of the highlights in our area as far logo, which says ‘Spoilt for Choice’. Sounds as pubs are concerned... almost conceited, doesn’t it? Well, it didn’t take me long to realise that it is actually a very appropriate Maldon and Dengie CAMRA’s Pub of the Year slogan for the area. We have plenty to be proud of is the Compasses in Great Totham. This 18th- in our little corner of Essex when it comes to real century roadside inn, on the B1022 between ale, real cider and pubs. Tiptree and Maldon, has faced a very uncertain future in recent times, with the current owner trying In the past 10 years, two of our local breweries (and fortunately failing to date) to get planning (Crouch Vale in South Woodham Ferrers with permission to build houses on the car park. The Brewers Gold and Mighty Oak in Maldon with current licensees, Alex and Hayley, are passionate Oscar Wilde) have won the coveted CAMRA about their beer and cider, and the great range on Supreme Champion Beer of Britain award no offer amply demonstrates this. less than three times, beating off incredibly stiff competition from nearly The Carpenters’ Arms in Gate 1,000 British breweries. The current licensees, Street, Maldon is our Branch The other two breweries Alex and Hayley, are Cider Pub of the Year, and also in our area (Wibblers passionate about their Runner-up in the Essex Cider and the Maldon Brewing Pub of the Year competition. It Company) regularly win beer and cider is a back-street gem, which has regional and national‘ been a pub since 1847. Its low awards for their fine ales. Only three months ago, beams and warm welcoming atmosphere make Wibblers were awarded a Gold Medal at the this community pub more country than town, with CAMRA National Winter Ales Festival for their a wide range of well-kept real ales and ciders from superb speciality stout, Crafty Stoat. Uniquely in around the UK and the local breweries. Essex, all of our breweries have opened tap rooms during the past year, where it is possible to sample The Chequers at Goldhanger is a characterful the very best beers each of them offer. 15th-century village inn with an enviable reputation for fine food and ales. The Swan in Little Totham Elsewhere in this magazine, there’s an article is a charming village local, serving a very good about the Crouch Valley Rail Ale Trail which we range of beers and home-cooked food. The are developing in collaboration with the Maldon Hurdlemakers Arms in Woodham Mortimer, Tourist Information Centre, on which you can visit the Bell at Purleigh and the Prince of Wales in two of these brewery taps by train. Stow Maries are locally renowned for their superb food and excellent beers. The King’s Head in And then there are our pubs. Two have been Tollesbury, the Norton in Cold Norton, the crowned CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year, most Station Arms in Southminster, and the Queen’s recently the Swan in Little Totham in 2005. The Head and New Welcome Sailor in Burnham-on- area boasts a wonderful variety of public houses. Crouch are all superb traditional community locals Some of them focus on serving superb locally- worth seeking out for their fine range of beers and sourced food in attractive surroundings, while warm welcomes. others are comfortable locals which are at the centre of community life. So, as you can see, we really are ‘Spoilt for Choice’! Why not pay us a visit soon to find out We are very fortunate to have nearly half of Gray for yourself? Summer 2016 3 S&C - A5 Generic Ad:Layout 1 27/05/2016 12:37 Page 1 WINE & KITCHEN AT THE NORTON The village Boris and Nora would like to Serious preparations are underway for our first ever welcome you to the brand beer festival that will take place over the weekend new relaunched bar and of the 19th August. As well as top beers and ciders, restaurant Wine & Kitchen at we’ll be having a blazing barbeque, live music for a pub is alive The Norton in the village of festival vibe and free drinks for the little ones. Cold Norton for a new and unique experience. If you’re after something other than beer, we’re and well... always happy to talk you through our unique and M E E T | E AT | D R I N K We are passionate about local, top quality produce extensive spirits selection and delicious hand-crafted Set in beautiful countryside the and that’s why we have personally sourced every wines. Look out on our website or facebook page for Square and Compasses is ingredient you’ll find on your plate. Expect an upcoming events such as Meet the Brewer evenings, innovative and evolving menu according to the wine tastings and live music. believed to date from about 1652. seasons. If you fancy a bite on the go you’ll find just Inside, the cosy atmosphere and what you need on our bar snack menu available all Beer garden for the famous British summer, free various styles of eclectic furniture day including our now famous homemade crisps. parking, child friendly and dog treats provided free of charge for your four legged friends. and antiques ensures your comfort Beer is a serious business for us. Boris the beer Open Tuesday to Sunday noon til late. in which to enjoy a drink or two and boss carefully looks after our ever changing selection sourced from the good people at local breweries Book now on 01621 826948 or visit our website maybe something to eat, in the such as Mighty Oak, Wibblers and Farmers Ales with www.wineandkitchen.co.uk company of family and friends. the occasional cask from further afield. Boris is also planning on making his own brew shortly so keep • New weekday lunch offer: buy a burger and get a Lovingly restored this old public your eyes on the pumps! free pint on us! (Ts & Cs apply of course!) house has been returned to its status as a major feature in the day to day life of the village.